Reading Comprehension: Text, Questions and Evidence
Reading comprehension in the Castilla y León PAU English paper asks you to show that you understand an English text and can locate, interpret and reformulate information. You choose one option (A or B); the text is followed by items such as true/false statements with justification, short-answer questions, reference questions, and synonym or antonym matching. The exam tests whether your answer is anchored in the text, not whether you can write a general essay on the topic.
What the items actually test
- Explicit detail: scan for names, numbers, dates and cause-effect links.
- Inference: what a pronoun refers to, the writer's attitude, an implied contrast.
- Lexis in context: the meaning of a word as it is used in that sentence.
- Paraphrase: match the question wording to different wording in the text.
- True/false: every part of the statement must match; one wrong detail makes it false.
A reliable procedure
- Read the questions first, but not long answer options.
- Skim the text for its topic and the function of each paragraph.
- Scan for the keywords in each item and underline the exact evidence.
- Answer short-answer items in your own words, keeping the same meaning.
- For true/false, justify with a short quotation or line reference if asked.
Worked example
Text sentence: Although the council had promised to reopen the library by March, the repairs were delayed twice, and the building finally welcomed readers again in late June.
Item: The library reopened in March as originally planned. True or false? Justify.
Reasoning: promised ... by March is not the same as reopened in March; delayed twice and finally ... late June contradict the statement. Answer: False. The library reopened in late June after two delays. The item tests contrast signalled by Although and finally: ignore the promise and track the actual event.
Traps that cost marks
- Answering from general knowledge instead of the text.
- Copying a long sentence for a short-answer item; it may contain an irrelevant or contradictory clause.
- Confusing what the author says with what the author agrees with; attitude items need adjectives from the text.
- Missing negation (
not,few,hardly) and concession (although,despite). - For synonym items, choosing a dictionary synonym that does not fit the context.
- Leaving true/false without the requested justification.